Donald Ray Withrow, 64, passed away peacefully at home with his family the evening of December 3, 2016, after a short battle with cancer.

Donald was born in Lexington, KY, son of the late Sherman and Louella (Faulconer) Withrow and Russell and Stella Faulconer. Growing up he resided in Bourbon County, KY, attending Clintonville Christian Church. Donald graduated from Bourbon County High School in 1970. After graduation, he attended Eastern Kentucky University. On February 2, 1987, Donald received the honor of being a “Kentucky Colonel.”

He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1971 and retired as a 1st Sergeant in 1991 having served at Cherry Point, NC, Camp Lejeune, NC, Okinawa, Japan, Beirut area, several tours of duty at I&I staff in Cincinnati, OH, and Lexington, KY for 21 years of active duty. He is a member of the Bravo Battery 1/10 Association. After retirement from the Marine Corps, Donald worked at Advanced Auto Parts as an auditor and at the V.A. Medical Center in Lexington as a Payroll Supervisor, retiring in 2007. Since retirement, he has enjoyed his time to work on his carpentry hobby, watching his UK Wildcats basketball, spending time with his grandbabies and enjoying life with his darling wife.

He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Jo Ann (Pharis) Withrow; four children, Eric (Summer) Withrow, Chris (Jennifer) Withrow, Daniel (Amanda) Withrow and Genia (John) Dorsey; eight grandchildren he loved dearly, Jessie Withrow, Nicholas Withrow, Zachary Withrow, Logan Withrow, Emma Dorsey, Kiera Dorsey, Conner Withrow, and Alayna Withrow; Mother-in-law, Gladys Pharis; family friend, Carla Mattox; five siblings, Jimmy (Sally) Withrow, Billy (Gail) Withrow, Tommy (Pat) Withrow, Patricia (Jim) Roesh and Faye Ralls; brothers-in-law, Roger (Peggy) Pharis and Jimmy Butler. He also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

Donald was preceded in death by six siblings, Joe Withrow, Johnny Withrow, Larry (Jean) Withrow, Phyllis Little, Hattie Begley and Delores Phelps-Butler; his step mother, Maggie Withrow; father-in-law, Eugene Pharis.

Services will be at 10:00AM Thursday, December 8, 2016, at Scobee Funeral Home by Pastor Chuck Kemp. Burial will follow in Winchester Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00PM Wednesday, December 7, 2016.

People who would like to donate, in lieu of flowers, can do so to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Donald’s name.